Ballyvolane House & Blackwater Salmon Fishery

 

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Things to do

Romantic woodland walks & Blackwater fly fishing at Ballyvolane country house hotel CorkYou won't be short on...

Gardens

Lismore Centre for Traditional Skills

The Old Railway Station in Lismore is home to the Centre for Traditional Skills, a place dedicated to the conservation and revival of age old crafts and skills. The magnificent stone built goods shed is busy again with a working forge, workshops for woodturning, country carpentry, coopering, toolmaking and tinsmithing. Book one of the weekend courses and stay at Ballyvolane – only 20 minutes drive.

Beaches

  • Ballyquin, located on the Youghal to Dungarvan Road
  • Whiting Bay, located on the Youghal to Dungarvan Road
  • Ardmore, signed from Youghal to Dungarvan
  • Youghal Strand
  • Ballycotton, signed from Midleton Youghal Strand

Swimming

  • Trabolgan Swimming and Sports Complex, Midleton
  • Fermoy Leisure Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork
  • Splashworld, Tramore, Co. Waterford
  • Youghal Swimming Centre, Youghal, Co. Cork

For Children

  • Play centres in Midleton Glanmire and Cork
  • Fota Wildlife Park Cobh, Co. Cork
  • Leahy’s Open Farm Dungourney, Co. Cork

Tennis

  • Conna Tennis Club Conna 058 59152 15 mins

Croquet

  • Croquet can be played at Ballyvolane House on the south top lawn from May to September, weather permitting. You can borrow mallets and balls from the porch. See us for rules, cheating advised!

Badminton

  • We have a net set up on the lawn behind the dovecot. Rackets and shuttlecocks provided.

Cycling

  • We have bikes available for your use at Ballyvolane House and can suggest a few good routes and provide you with maps.

Fishing

  • For more information on salmon fishing on the renowned river Blackwater or for trout fishing on the lakes at Ballyvolane, see the fishing pages on our site.

Horse riding

  • Ballybrack Riding School Glenville 087 2519405 15 mins

Point-to-point

  • The point to point season in Ireland begins on New Years Day and finishes the last day in May. If you are lucky enough to be touring North Cork during those months, the point to point experience is a must. Ask us for further information on exact dates, times and venues.

Horse Racing

The first horse race meeting in Mallow dates back to 1777 when six consecutive days of racing were on offer in the Mallow area, "all to be run according to the King’s Plate articles". The present race course which was refurbished in 1997 dates back to 1924.

  • Cork Race Course Killarney Rd, Mallow 022 50207 1 hour

Greyhound Racing

Every Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday nights – first race is at 7.50pm

  • Curraheen Park Stadium Bishopstown, Cork 021 4543095

Hunting

For further information on exact dates, times and venues contact the following Hunt Clubs:

  • Hunt location contact phone no. distance
  • Avondhu Fermoy D O’ Meara 025 32681 15 mins
  • Cloyne Cloyne JJ Harty 021 631898 30 mins
  • Doneraile Doneraile C O'Keefe 022 24222 1 hour
  • Duhallow Liscarroll D O’ Cainte 022 48161 1.5 hours
  • Kilworth/ Araglin Kilworth L O'Doherty 025 85444 30 mins
  • Muskerry Muskerry R Harkin 021 4382233 1.5 hours
  • United Hunt Ballindenisk D Daly 021 4277399 30 mins
  • West Waterford Lismore J Sheehan 058 54265 30 mins
  • Killeagh Harriers Kileagh
  • Conna Harriers Conna

Clay Shooting

  • Claybird Limited Kinsale 021 4887149 1 hour

Ferreting

  • By arrangement.

Day Trips

  • Jameson Heritage Centre Midleton, Co. Cork
  • Cobh Heritage Centre Cobh, Co. Cork
  • Fota House and Gardens Cobh, Co. Cork
  • Lismore Heritage Town Co. Waterford
  • Cahir Castle Co. Tipperary
  • Swiss Cottage Cahir (open March - November)
  • Charles Fort Kinsale, Co. Cork (open April - September)
  • Rock of Cashel Co. Tipperary
  • Tourin House Cappoquin, Co. Waterford (open May - September)
  • Cappoquin House Co. Waterford (by request)
  • Holy Cross Abbey Thurles, Co Tipperary
  • Bunratty Castle and Folk Park Bunratty, Co. Clare
  • Blarney Woollen Mills Co. Cork
  • Blarney Castle Co. Cork
  • Barryscourt Castle Carrigtohill, Co. Cork
  • Mitchelstown Caves Co. Cork
  • Fota Wildlife Park & Fota House Cobh, Co. Cork
  • The Donkey Sanctuary Liscarroll, Co. Cork
  • Millstreet Country Park Millstreet, Co. Cork
  • Ring of Kerry
  • Dingle Peninsula Kerry
  • The Vee Lismore, Co. Waterford
  • Blackwater River Drive Co. Cork - Youghal to Fermoy
  • Nire Valley Drive Co. Waterford
  • West Cork Coast
  • Waterford Crystal

Walking

There are stunning woodland and garden walks all around Ballyvolane Estate which take you through the walled garden, round the rock, the ponds and Tims’ woods.

Walking map of Ballyvolane

Britway loop walking map

There are also many charming and highly recommended walks beyond the gates of Ballyvolane which take in fantastic views of the North Cork countryside. Maps can be provided.

  • 1. Ballyvolane House – Britway - Ballymacsimon – Spaniel’s Cross Loop: Distance 13km Time 3 hours
  • 2. Ballyvolane – Britway – Ballymacsimon Short Loop: Distance 7km Time 1.5 hours
  • 3. Ballyvolane – Britway Church Short Loop: Distance 6.5km Time 1.5 hours

Hill Walking

  • Glenseskin Wood, Kilworth, (map at Car Park)
  • Castleblagh Wood, Ballyhooly, (map at entrance)
  • The Munster Way, from the Vee, Lismore
  • The Blackwater Way
  • The Ballyhoura Way
  • Galtee Mór and Glengarra Woods, Galtee Mountains, Co. Tipperary
  • Eating, drinking and Shopping

PUBS

  • The Big Tree, Aghern - 3 miles
  • Peddler’s Rock, Abbey Bar Castlelyons - 3 miles
  • The Fisherman’s Rest, Conna - 6 miles
  • Lombard’s, Fermoy - 7 miles
  • Ted Keniry’s, Tallow - 9 miles
  • Foleys, Lismore - 14 miles
  • The Blackbird, Ballycotton - 16 miles

RESTAURANTS

  • O'Brien Chop House (Ballyvolane's sister restaurant) , Lismore - 8 miles
  • La Bigoudenne, Fermoy - 7 miles
  • Juniper, Fermoy - 5 miles
  • Brideview Bar, Tallow - 9 miles
  • The Cliff House Hotel, Ardmore - 19 miles
  • O’Donovan’s Restaurant, Midleton - 10 miles
  • Finnin’s, Midleton - 10 miles
  • Farm Gate, Midleton - 10miles
  • Pastis, Glencairn Inn, Glencairn - 14 miles
  • The Old Convent, Clogheen - 28 miles
  • Foleys, Lismore - 14 miles
  • Ballymaloe House, Shanagarry - 15 miles
  • Ahern’s, Seafood Youghal - 18 miles
  • Longueville House, Mallow - 22 miles
  • Café Paradiso (vegetarian), Cork City - 22 miles
  • Jacques, Cork City - 22 miles
  • Jacob’s on the Mall, Cork City - 22 miles
  • Les Gourmandise, Cork City - 22 miles
  • Club Brasserie, Cork City - 22 miles
  • La Boqueria, Cork City - 22 miles
  • Issac’s Cork City 22 miles
  • Table, Brown Thomas (lunch), Cork City - 22 miles
  • Thai Lanna, Cork City - 22 miles
  • Liberty Grill, Cork City - 22 miles
  • Annie’s Gastropub, Cork City - 22 miles
  • Farm Gate, English Market, Cork - 26 miles
  • The Tannery, Dungarvan - 35 miles
  • Fishy Fishy Café, Kinsale - 35
  • Toddies, Kinsale - 35 miles

SHOPPING

  • Fermoy Books, Fermoy
  • The Summer House, Lismore - Home wares, flowers
  • Alison Trigg Hand painted plaster, Lismore
  • Ballymaloe Shop Kitchen, Shanagarry
  • Stephen Pearce Pottery, Shanagarry
  • Meadows & Byrne, Cork City - Home wares
  • Brown Thomas, Cork City - Clothing & beauty
  • Kinsale - Everything
  • Blarney Woollen Mills, Blarney - Clothing & gifts

Food Markets

Meet our local artisan food producers:

  • The English Market Cork City Monday to Saturday 10am to 5.30pm
  • Midleton Farmers Market Every Saturday morning
  • Fermoy Farmers Market Every Saturday morning 10am to 1pm
  • Mahon Point Farmers Market Every Thursday morning 10am to 1pm

Traditional Irish Music

Essential listening/ viewing and can be heard in some of the local pubs on selected nights and also during a variety of festivals throughout the year (see ‘Festivals and Events’). Ask us for details.

Music, Theatre & Dance Venues

  • Cork Opera House, Cork
  • Everyman Palace Theatre, Cork
  • Triskel Arts Centre, Cork

Spa, Health & Beauty Treatments

  • Escape Spa, Aveda Salon & Spa Imperial Hotel, Cork
  • Capella Hotel & Resort Castlemartyr, Co. Cork

Art Galleries and Museums

  • Crawford Gallery Cork City
  • Lismore Arts Centre Dromroe, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford
  • Lismore Castle Gallery Lismore, Co. Waterford
  • Dungarvan Museum St. Augustine Street, Dungarvan
  • Glucksman Art Gallery UCC, Cork

Antiques

  • George Stacpoole Adare, Co. Limerick 061 369409 1.5 hours
  • Linda Antiques Main Street, Kinsale 021 4774754 1 hour
  • Diana O’Mahoney 8 Winthrop St, Cork 021 4276599 30 mins
  • Georgian Antiques 21 Lavitt’s Quay, Cork 021 4278153 30 mins
  • Mona’s Antiques Oliver Plunkett St, Cork 021 4278171 30 mins
  • Simon Dunne Antiques Lismore, Co. Waterford 058 59825
  • Fortlands Antiques Charleville, Co. Cork 063 81295 30 mins

Deep Sea Fishing

  • Available from Midleton, Ballycotton, Youghal and Dungarvan

Boat & Sailing Trips

  • Kinsale Harbour Cruises Kinsale 021 4773188 1 hour
  • Sovereign Sailing Kinsale 021 4774145 1 hour
  • Blackwater Cruises Youghal 087 9889076 1 hour

Golf

  • Old Head Kinsale 18 Kinsale 021 4778444 1 hour
  • Cork 18 Little Island 021 4353451 30 mins
  • Harbour Point 18 Cork 021 353094 40 mins
  • Fota Island 18 Cobh 021 4883700 20 mins
  • Fermoy 18 Fermoy 025 32694 15 mins
  • Lismore 9 Lismore 058 54026 20 mins
  • East Cork 18 Midleton 021 631687 20 mins
  • Mallow 18 Mallow 022 31145 1 hour
  • Doneraile 9 Doneraile 022 24137 1 hour
  • Mitchelstown 18 025 24072
  • Castlelyons Pitch & Putt Castlelyons 025 36840 5 mins
  • + 10 other Golf Courses within 30 miles

Golf Ranges

  • Rockmills Kildorrery 022 25222 1 hour
  • Harbour Point Cork See Above 40 mins
  • Ivory Park Driving Range Fermoy 025 31371 15 mins

Recommended Travel Guides to Ireland

  • The Bridgestone Guide, John & Sally McKenna’s 100 Best Places to Stay
  • The Bridgestone Guide, John & Sally McKenna’s 100 Best Places to Eat
  • Good Food Ireland
  • Great Fishing Houses of Ireland
  • Georgina Campbell’s Ireland
  • The Good Hotel Guide, Great Britain & Ireland
  • Ireland’s Blue Book
  • The Hidden Ireland
  • Alistair Sawday’s Special Places to Stay Ireland
  • Karen Brown’s Guides Ireland
  • AA, Bed & Breakfast Guide
  • Bed & Breakfast Ireland, Elsie Dillard & Susan Causin
  • Fodor’s Ireland
  • The Lonely Planet Ireland
  • Trip Advisor

Road Bowling

Unique to Ireland, and there is unique style of road bowling specific to this part of East Cork. The ancient game of road bowling is as exhilarating and competitive today as at any period in a very long, illustrious and colourful history. Forms of bowling can be traced back to the Pharaohs of Egypt. However, the exact origins of Irish Road Bowling are uncertain. The game itself in its present form began to emerge in the 17th and 18th centuries. Stone bowls and iron bowls were used during this period of transition.

Prior to the structured rules, the game of road bowling was not played over a particular distance, but instead the winner was decided by who could throw the furthest over 20 shots. You may run into groups of men road bowling on the road between Castlelyons and Fermoy.

Hurling & Gaelic Football

Hurling is the fastest and possibly the most dangerous field sport on earth, and here in County Cork, the Hurling tradition runs deep. Our local team, the Bride Rovers, won the Munster intermediate championship last year and Cork itself have been all-Ireland champions many times over. Many hurling legends, such as Timmy McCarthy of Castlelyons and the Bold Christy Ring, Master of Cloyne of whom many songs and poems are written, both reign from this part of Cork.

Excerpt from RTE sport by Bryan McMahon, Kerry playwright and novelist: "How oft I've watched him from the hill move here and there in grace, In Cork, Killarney, Thurles Town or by the Shannon's Race, "Now Cork is be't, the hay is saved" the thousands wildly sing They speak too soon, my sweet gossoon, for here comes Christy Ring!"

“Christy Ring from Cloyne, Co Cork, is regarded by many the length and breadth of the country as the greatest ever hurler to take the field. His mastery of the skills of the game was equalled only by his dedication to the cause of his fabled Cork, for whom he played for in excess of 20 years. Of course others have too been lauded as the best hurler of all time, but Ring applied his range of talents for greater reward than any other, and much of this was due to his own efforts. He took much responsibility on his shoulders and his 'feats of derring-do' grow with each telling. Ring won 8 All-Ireland medals before retiring from the inter-county scene at the age of 43, a record only later equalled by John Doyle of Tipperary. His last appearance on the national scene saw him earn his 18th Railway Cup medal with Munster in 1963.

Christy Ring died suddenly on March 2, 1979, at the age of 58. Shortly before he died, Ring said this to RTE interviewer Donncha O'Dulaing of his scoring feats 'I always tried to achieve the impossible'. There is no doubt but of all those to grace a hurling field he has yet to be surpassed in coming closest.”

Gaelic football is also played widely and both Hurling and ‘Gaelic’ are highly entertaining spectator sports. There nearest GAA where local teams can be seen playing is in Castlelyons village, behind the community centre, but most towns and villages in the locality have their own GAA pitch. Check ‘The Avondhu’, our local paper for fixtures.

Things to do

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